Question 1

Why do shared links contain tracking parameters?

Accepted Answer

When you tap "Share" or "Copy link" on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or most social apps, the platform appends hidden parameters — like igshid, fbclid, si, or tt_from — that uniquely identify you, your device, and the share surface. The destination page works fine without them; they exist purely so the platform can map who shares what with whom.

Question 2

Is PruneTheLink safe to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PruneTheLink is stateless — nothing is stored, no cookies are set, no analytics are collected, and no account is required. URLs are cleaned in-memory and discarded. Redirects are sent with Referrer-Policy: no-referrer so the destination site can't see you came from us.

Question 3

Does cleaning the link break it?

Accepted Answer

No. Tracking parameters are metadata layered on top of the real URL. Removing them leaves the underlying page, post, or video exactly where it was. The cleaned link opens the same content as the original.

PruneTheLink — Remove tracking parameters from shared URLs.prunethe.link

Why your shared links have tracking on them

PruneTheLink — Remove tracking parameters from shared URLs.